Her simple life

pte

this perfect figure had completely taken away my abil

e asked again, and I

h, I'm

re?" he ask

odd

bulance," he said, starting to get up

! What ha

paused and turn

s nothing compared to what

ooked at me

ine. Just a little firs

od up, went to his

away. I've lived in Everwood all my life and have never come across anyone like him. Maybe he was just

t throbbed as I remembered my first pain-my long-time crush dating my high school enemy! Then

editors I sent it to? Recently, my book had received a lot of rejections, but each one made me stronger, even though I would

n't fall. Maybe because I had wasted all of them on Kelvin and Anita's stupid shenanigans. I closed my laptop and crashed onto my bed, h

bably know who that is. You can call me the Queen of Rejections when it comes to my books and publishing platforms. I'm an a

kground. My mother passed away when I was six years old, and my father was arrested for money laundering as the city mayor. I have nothing special going on in my life, exc

thing s

up and reached for my laptop on the desk. I opened it and noticed I had received an

ctions just received

me today. I immediately accepted the invitation and signed the contract. Tha

up to find Stephen an

re you doing?" I mumb

eemed pretty upset l

ts of sleep. "Actually, something amazin

e. "No way! That's awesome,

smiling. "I still

ot to give up. Per

eeling warmth in my chest at his words. "No

o make sure you were okay," Step

ay, which meant it was park day. Normally, it would be me, Kelvin, and Step

and tied my hair back into a ponytail. I slipped on my sneakers and grabbed my gla

e Stephen was waiting, mu

o go?" h

ked out to my scooter, and I noticed the faint scratches from

s peaceful, the wind blowing through my hair and the city waking up around us. We re

et go of the past and focus on my future-startin

ad of the usual mix of families, couples, and groups o

n said, kicking at the d

ng around. "Maybe there's so

ly, cheerful place it usually was. We hopped back on my scooter and headed towards the

rdly good. It was as if the entire town had decided to have an impromptu fashion week. Girls wer

on week?" I asked aloud, mor

the scene. "The girls from the thrift store look

he entire social hierarchy of Everwood was on display-poor girls at the thrift store, average girls a

r customer at the bookstore where I worked. She stood with a grou

side. "Hey, Meredit

eyes sparkling with excitement.

on?" I repea

at it was hard to remember his exact features because he seemed too perfect. And you know what's crazy? One time in elementary school, he taught me h

e conference he's hosting this

. Why are all of you buying clothes

ws got out that he's back in town to find

s going crazy. "Alright, t

?" she asked, scanning me from head to

nterested." I t

going to pick you

ing bored of the whole "Axel is back" shenanigans. We rode my scooter back home, and I w

meow

to the art gallery to view the new portrait, which was no longer possible. This foolish cat a

aybe some ice cream when I saw Stephen leavi

you think you're

some

where have a name?

to go to the conference.

ust a minute." I ran upstairs to

nt. It was strange; these people never attended meetings regarding the city, but the

e was some K-pop artist. He came in wearing a formal white suit adorned with shiny jewel